Collars for lens loops

ABSTRACT

Collars are disposed on loops of intraocular lenses for improved fixation of loops in rims of capsular bags of eyes. A collar may preferably be positioned on an outer portion of a loop and retained on the loop by an enlarged end portion of the loop.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/756,546, filed Jan. 8, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/419,072, filed Oct. 15, 1999, U.S. Pat.No. 6,193,750.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the implanting of intraocular lenses in human eyes,particularly where accommodation is to be provided, it is important thatloops of lenses be fixated within the rim of the capsular bag of the eyeto maintain correct, accurate movement of the optic under the action ofthe ciliary muscle.

[0003] As is known in the art, loops, haptics, etc., disposed in thecapsular bag rim, are intended to become fixated by fibrosis developedtherein following surgical removal of a portion of the anterior capsularbag.

[0004] It is possible, although rare, that loops and certain other lensfeatures engaged in the rim of the capsular bag may lose some degree offixation or undergo some disengagement from the capsular bag rim. Lensesin which such problem might possibly arise include the well-known typeof lens wherein arcuate loops extend oppositely from an optic; thelenses of Applicant's pending application, Ser. No. 08/858,978 entitled“Accommodating Intraocular Lens Having T-shaped Haptics”; andApplicant's pending application Ser. No. 08/947,113 entitled“Intraocular Lenses With Fixated Haptics”.

[0005] The present invention provides collar components for positioningon loops of lenses in the rim of the capsular bag of the eye, thus toenhance engagement of the loop and collar in the bag rim.

[0006] In a typical or preferred utilization of the collar on theinvention, the collars are disposed on a lens comprising an optic havingtwo haptics extending therefrom, at least one loop extending from eachhaptic, with the loops having enlarged end portions, whereby tubularcollars disposed on the loops are retained thereon by enlarged endportions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a lens having haptics with loopsextending oppositely and with collars of the invention thereon;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loop with collarthereon and disposed in the rim;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view which shows a collarhaving a slit therein and disposed on a loop;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collar with features thereon forenhanced engagement in the rim portion of a capsular bag;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a collar of the invention having afrusto-conical lumen therein;

[0012]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a lens with oppositelydisposed arcuate loops extending from an optic into engagement with therim portion of a capsular bag and having collars thereon;

[0013]FIG. 7 shows collars of the invention disposed on loops extendingfrom haptics of a lens; and

[0014]FIG. 8 is an elevated view showing collars of the invention onloops extending from the outer edge of an annular haptic.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a preferred form ofintraocular lens 10 with which the collars of the invention may beutilized, has flexible haptics 14 extending laterally oppositely from anoptic 12. The haptics are plate haptics having arcuate outer edges. Theloops, when unrestrained, are somewhat less curved in configuration thanshown. The lens, including the optic, haptics, and loops are preferablyformed of resilient, semi-rigid material, such as silicone, acrylic orhydrogel.

[0016] As is well known in the art, an intraocular lens, such as that ofFIG. 1, is implanted in the capsular bag of an eye after removal of thenatural lens. The lens is inserted into the capsular bag via a generallycircular opening cut in the anterior capsular bag of the human lens, andthrough a small opening in the cornea or sclera.

[0017] With the outer ends of the haptics positioned in the cul-de-sacof the bag, as shown, the loops 16 are resiliently urged in closeproximity with the bag cul-de-sac, the loops being deflected in theconfiguration shown.

[0018] Knobs 22 are defined on the outer end portions of the loops forimproved securement in the capsular rim or cul-de-sac by engagement withfibrosis which develops in the capsular bag following the surgicalremoval of the central portion of the anterior capsular bag.

[0019] A collar 24 of the invention is disposed on each loop 16 inpositions shown when the lens is positioned in the eye. The collars arepreferably fabricated of a relatively hard material, such as polyimide,PMMA, or nylon, whereas the loops are typically formed of a flexiblematerial, such as silicone, acrylic or hydrogel, as earlier mentioned.

[0020] Collars may be installed and disposed on loops by differentprocedures. A collar may be provided with a longitudinal slit (FIG. 3)to enable it to be deformed or spread open during positioning about acollar. Another procedure disposing a collar on a loop is to dispose aloop in an appropriate recess in a mold, then molding the loop to extendwithin and through the collar. Another procedure is to fabricate theloop of a hydrogel or acrylic material, slide the collar on the loop,then hydrolyze the loop, thus expanding the loop and the knob thereon,whereby the unexpanded loop is retained by the enlarged knob at the endof the loop.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a collar of the invention mayincorporate various features for enhancement of fixation in the capsularbag. Such features may include knurling indicated at 26, annular ridgesor rings 28 and a frusto-conical lumen or passage 30 in a collar.

[0022] A collar on a loop does not interfere with the stretchability ofa loop, loop elasticity enables a loop to flex and stretch while thecollar is engaged thereabout and in the rim of a capsular bag for fixingthe lens in the capsular bag. The collar is positioned on an outerportion of a loop in proximity to a knob at the end of the loop in theprocedure of inserting the lens into the eye, and remains so positionedafter fibrosis is complete. The knob retains the collar on the loop toprevent the loop from slipping from the collar. As stated, the collarprovides improved fixation in the peripheral rim or cul-de-sac of thecapsular bag. To aid in retaining the collar adjacent the knob on theend of the loop, a small protrusion 32 may be defined on a loop, asshown in FIG. 7, the protrusion being sized to allow a collar to beslipped thereover after the loop is formed in the manufacture of thelens.

[0023] FIGS. 6 to 8 show certain of the various forms of lenses withwhich the collars of the invention may be utilized. FIG. 6 illustrates atype of lens well known in the art, wherein loops extend arcuately froman optic and into engagement with the capsular rim of an eye, withcollars of the invention adjacent to knobs at the ends of the loops.FIG. 7 shows a lens having plate haptics and arcuate loops, withprotrusions 32, extending from respective edge portions of the hapticstransversely across the haptics, with collars thereon retained by knobs.FIG. 8 shows a lens having an annular plate haptic disposed about anoptic, and a plurality of loops extending arcuately therefrom withcollars of the invention retained by knobs on the ends of the loops.

[0024] Thus there have been shown and described collars for lens loopswhich fulfill all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Manychanges, modifications, variations and other uses and applications ofthe subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled inthe art after considering this specification together with theaccompanying drawings and claims. All such changes, modifications,variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by theinvention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

I claim:
 1. A collar for an intraocular lens with loops for engagementin the capsular bag of the eye, said collar comprising: a tubular-shapedbody made of an optical material of a size to fit within the capsularbag of the eye, and said body having an open passage longitudinallydisposed throughout said body.
 2. The collar of claim 1, wherein saidoptic material is made from polyimide, PMMA, or nylon.
 3. The collar ofclaim 1, wherein said body has a longitudinal slit.
 4. The collar ofclaim 1, wherein the surface of the body is knurled.
 5. The collar ofclaim 1, wherein the body has annular ridges or rings.
 6. The collar ofclaim 1, wherein the passage is a frusto-conical lumen.
 7. Anintraocular lens comprising: a lens body having an optic, said lensbody, having at least two haptics extending from the periphery of saidlens body, at least one loop projecting from said at least two haptics,and at least one collar disposed about at least one loop.
 8. The lens ofclaim 7, wherein said at least one loops having an enlarged outer endportion.
 9. The lens of claim 8, wherein said enlarged outer end portionis a knob.
 10. The lens of claim 7, wherein said at least one collar isdisposed about the loop and the loop and knob material is expanded byhydration, whereby the collar is retained on the loop by an enlargedknob.
 11. The lens of claim 7, wherein said at least one loop has one ormore raised surfaces to retain said collar on said loop.
 12. The lens ofclaim 7, wherein said at least one collar is slidably disposed about atleast a portion of said at least one loop.
 13. The lens of claim 7,wherein said at least one loop is flexible.
 14. The lens of claim 7,wherein said at least one collar is fabricated of harder material thanthe material of said at least two haptics.
 15. The lens of claim 7,wherein said at least one collar is made from polyimide, PMMA, or nylon.16. The lens of claim 7, wherein said at least one loop is made fromsilicone, acrylic, hydrogel, or an optic material.
 17. The lens of claim7, wherein said at least one collar is tubular.
 18. The lens of claim 7,wherein said at least one collar has a longitudinal slit.
 19. The lensof claim 7, wherein said at least two haptics are plate hapticsextending oppositely from said lens body.